Introducing Fan-Club Friday

I've had a quieter day today.

August is traditionally a quieter month in our church, so in the interests of self-care, and the hope of surviving whatever Autumn 2020 throws at us we have decided to take things a bit more slowly.

I say we, but I really mean me, as Chris has no option but to take things slowly.

Post-covid illness/fatigue is alive and well and living in Testosterone Towers.

So this morning I was his Uber driver for a while before depositing him in front of the cricket.

Then I made some calls.

Including one of my favourite new Covid-related tasks, phoning Mavis.

We chat for a bit then I ask if she's ready, and off we go,

sharing together in worship for a few minutes over the phone.

She's visually impaired so the only way I can share the worship sheet with her is reading it to her.

I share the thought I've written, 

we sing - poorly, but sincerely,

and we pray.

It takes about 5 or 6 minutes all together.

But what wonder-filled minutes they are.

And as I offer her a service,

I get so much more from it than I'm sure she does.

It's become a highlight.

But at the end, she says the same words, week after week.

"Thank you for who you are, and all you do."

Ten little words that have the power to change my day, my outlook, my life.

It's easy to feel unappreciated isn't it?

But I've decided this month to do, and be, the kind of person I'd like in my life.

If I want encouragement and appreciation, then I need to look for it, and express it to those who share my life.

We have #whingingwednesday, maybe we should start #fanclubfriday?

Do you think it will catch on?

PS If anyone can tell me why the lines have suddenly spaced out please let me know!

Lots of love xx


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

20 years of ministry

I hadn't realised it myself. I'm not very good with dates, and years, and anniversaries. But yesterday my Facebook Timeline was full of it. It's 20 years since we were commissioned and ordained. 28th May 1993 at The Royal Albert Hall, London. As I listened to 'Our Songs' The ones written for us, and for the occasion I became a bit nostalgic. As I looked at the video And saw my friends and colleagues I almost felt a pang of grief For the people we were The things we shared. But this is a letter to the 25 yr old girl I was then From the woman I am now "You made it! By the skin of your teeth at times but you got there in the end. And this ending Full of brass, and drums, and singing and laughter and drama and dance is just the beginning. In the years ahead you will know joy Real joy Laughing so hard no sound comes out. Friendships that are only in their infancy here Will become your anchor in the days ahead. And people that
Read more

Five Minute Friday: Song

Image
It's our Silver Wedding Anniversary on Tuesday. 25 years. I told someone the other day and she gasped, and said, "You don't look old enough" Which is absolutely the right response. We're having a few friends over next Friday night to celebrate. There will be food And dancing And fun And song. 'Our song' to be precise. As we met in the 80's, Our song is 'Solid' (Ashford and Simpson). It's the song we used to dance to at parties. It's the song that made us laugh. It's the song we always talk about when reminiscing. Our 25 years together hasn't been perfect You won't be surprised to hear that. There has been much joyful song. But sometimes the notes have turned dischordant. Sometimes we've sung in a minor key. More recently we have sung songs of lament. But to mis-quote Gloria Gaynor We have survived. We're still standing (Elton John) And we're still singing from the same hymn
Read more

Five Minute Friday: Friend

Five minute Friday. Write. Don't check, or edit, just write for the pure love of it. The prompt is FRIEND I had a card from a friend today. We started as colleagues. Our paths crossed a few times. But over the past year she has become a friend. And as a friend She knew what this weekend meant for us. She remembered. She acted. But friends are all different aren't they? Over the past 12 months our friends have been: Some practical Some ever-present Some prayerful Some encouraging Some business as usual Some helpless Some distant And sadly, some very noticeable by their absence. I don't blame them It's not been easy to be our friend this year. But I thank God for all of them And pray that the absent ones are not gone forever. I'm also challenged. "If you want a friend, be a friend" The saying goes. I pray my friends will always know where to come. And if not, that I'll meet them where they are. And when I fail as a f
Read more